PACQUIAO CELEBRATES MILESTONES IN MAYWEATHER BOUT
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 05 Mar 2015
LOS ANGELES - When Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao battles undefeated American welterweight Floyd Mayweather Jr. May 2 in Las Vegas, the World Boxing Organization 147-pound kingpin will be celebrating three significant events in his life and in the international sporting scene as well.
His 12-round welterweight unification showdown with the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council 147-pound titleholder marks his 20th year as a pro.
It, likewise, marks the 14th year?s partnership with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
The fight, set at the MGM Grand Arena in the United States? gambling city coincides with 40th anniversary of the final chapter of Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier trilogy known as ?Thrilla In Manila? which up to this present time is still the talk of the town in the entire international sporting community.
?Oh yeah! Imagine, I have been in boxing pala for 20 years already. How time flies, really,? exclaimed the now 36-year-old father of five with wife and Sarangani Vice Gov., Jinkee during a mini-press conference given to a handful of media men following his training session Wednesday afternoon at the Wild Card Gym.
?Well, I have to thank God for giving me that long life and allowed my family to alleviate my life and that of my family from out humble beginning to what we are now,? Pacquiao said. ?Thank you, too, Lord for giving me the opportunity to know coach Freddie, who guided me into becoming the first and only man on the planet to win 10 world championships in eight weight divisions.? he added.
Pacquiao even led the presscon attendees the singing of the Happy Birthday song in honor or Roach, who turned 55 that day.
?Salamat din po, Panginoon at nabigyan nin yo ako ng pagkakataon na makapagbigay pa ng karagdagang karangalan sa bansang Pilipinas at sa katagang Pilipino na naunang naibigay ni the Great Muhammad Ali at ?Smokin? Joe Frazier, the principal actors in the Thrilla in Manila,? the Sarangani Congressman recalled.
?I would also like to express my gratitude to Floyd, considered as the greatest fighter of this era, for agreeing to fight and gifted me the honor of sharing with him the accolade which, before, was reserved only to Ali himself, Smokin Joe, Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong and the very few others,?
?And because I am dedicating this coming fight to those important events, let me also solemnly promise our countrymen my very best to win the fight and do justice to the celebration of those events,? he vowed.
?Sana?y maiparating sa ating mga kababayan na ipanalangin nila na ako ang manalo upang lalong sumaya ang ating selebrasyon. Gaya nang sinasabi ko bago at matapos akong lumaban, and labang ito ay para sa inyo ar para sa makasaysayang pangyayaring ginugunita natin ngayon,? he said.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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